Multi-pocket carrier adapted for use with a cooler and the like and method therefor

ABSTRACT

A portable cooler assembly is provided for transporting food and accessory items. The cooler assembly generally includes a container body, a lid, and a carrier. The container body includes a bottom wall and an interior that defines a food storage chamber. The carrier is adapted to straddle the container body and has first and second pouches joined together by an interconnecting member. The interconnecting member may be adjustable and may further span the container body, suspending the first and second pouches therefrom. The pouches may include an array of compartments, including juxtaposed elongated pockets and auxiliary pockets. A method of transporting food and picnic related items with a picnic cooler is also provided and includes the step of suspending a pouch from a picnic cooler.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to a carrier for holding and transporting a variety of items. More particularly, the present invention relates to a multi-pocket carrier for use in transporting picnic related items. This invention also concerns a method of transporting food and picnic related items.

Typically, individuals traveling from one place to another tend to take with them various personal items. Such items may be packed in a suitcase, for instance when traveling long distances, or may be as simple as a wallet stuffed in a pocket for a trip to the grocery store. Nevertheless, people tend to travel with items that they find essential to accompany them. In an effort to accommodate the need for individuals to transport items, there is a vast selection of carriers such as purses, wallets, suitcases, boxes, and other containers that suit this need.

One such carrier that is commonly used for recreational trips is the cooler. Coolers are typically used for transporting perishables and for keeping beverages cool. Coolers are usually packed to make the most efficient use of the limited interior space. As result, it is sometimes difficult to find various items that are to be used in conjunction with the items packed in the cooler. Accordingly, a need exists in the art for a new and improved carrier that can be used in conjunction with a cooler for holding and transporting items. The present invention is directed to meeting these needs.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An object of the present invention is to provide a new and useful carrier for holding and transporting various items.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a pair compartmentalized pouches for organizing and holding items and that provide the user for quick location and retrieval of those items.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a pair of compartmentalized pouches that straddle an object such as a cooler, table, grill, and the like.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a light-weight carrier for items with adjustable straps.

Still a further object of the present invention is to provide a new and useful carrier that is pouch for straddling a cooler.

According to the present invention, then, a portable cooler assembly for transporting food and accessory items therefore is contemplated. The portable cooler assembly generally includes a container body, a lid, and a carrier. The container body includes a bottom wall and a surrounding sidewall extending upwardly therefrom and having an outer surface and an inner surface and may be rectangular in shape. The surrounding sidewall has an outer surface and an inner surface where the inner surface and the bottom wall together form an interior that defines a food storage chamber. The lid of the portable cooler assembly is moveable between an open position to permit access to the food storage chamber and a closed position to enclose the food storage chamber.

The carrier component of the portable cooler assembly is adapted to straddle the container body when in a mounted state and includes first and second pouches adapted to receive selected food accessory items. The carrier may also include an interconnecting member that is sized and adapted to join the two pouches and span the container body when in the mounted state wherein the first and second pouches are suspended thereby in a confronting relationship with the outer surface of the surrounding sidewall.

Each pouch may include a backing that is adapted to confront the outer surface of the surrounding sidewall that be formed of a stiff, yet flexible material such as cardboard, wood, metal, nylon, polypropylene, polyethylene, and polyvinyl chloride. When used with a cooler, the backing may be generally rectangular in shape and adapted, for example, to suspend alongside the cooler body so that a respective pouch confronts a respective front and back wall. The backing may further be associated with a shield in the form of a foam panel.

The interconnecting member or bridge member that joins the first and second pouches may be in the form of a strap that has an adjustable length. Alternatively, a plurality of interconnecting members may be provided to join the first and second pouches. The interconnecting member may have a first end portion first end portion adapted to attach to the backing associated with the first pouch and a second end portion adapted to attach to the backing associated with the second pouch and be further adapted to span the food chamber. The interconnecting member may further include a first free end with a first connector disposed proximate thereto and a second free end with a second connector disposed proximate thereto wherein the connectors are adapted to releasably engage one another. Such connectors contemplated include hook and loop fasteners, buckles, snaps, buttons, and hook and eye fasteners.

The interconnecting member may be adapted to span a top rim of the surrounding sidewall so as to be interposed between the container body and the lid when the lid is in the closed position. Alternatively, it may be adapted to be disposed in the confronting relationship with the outer surface of the lid when in the mounted state.

The first and second pouches of the carrier include an array of compartments for receiving selected food items. The array of compartments may include a plurality of juxtaposed elongated pockets and a plurality of juxtaposed auxiliary pockets. At least one of the elongated pockets or auxiliary pockets may fully be provided with the closure.

The present invention further contemplates a method of transporting food and picnic related items with a picnic cooler. The method includes the steps of packing selected food items to be transported into an insulated food storage chamber at a first location, suspending a pouch from the picnic cooler, packing selected food and picnic related items into the pouch and moving the picnic cooler to a second location. The method may further include the steps of suspending a second pouch from the picnic cooler and then interconnecting the first pouch and the second pouch by means of a bridge piece that is placed in a spanning relationship across the top portion of the picnic cooler. Finally, the method may include the step of enclosing the food storage chamber.

These and other objects of the present invention will become more readily appreciated and understood from the consideration of the following detailed description of the exemplary embodiments when taken together with the accompanying drawings, in which:

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a portable cooler assembly that incorporates a carrier according to a first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a top plan view in elevation of the carrier shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken about lines 3-3 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is an exploded side view, in elevation, of one of the pouches shown in FIGS. 1-3; and

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of an alternative backing for use with the carrier according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

The present invention is broadly directed to carriers that may be used for holding and transporting various items. More particularly, the present invention is directed to a multi-pocket carrier that is adapted to straddle a supporting object. Generally, the carrier includes a pair of pouches interconnected with one another by an interconnecting member that may be in the form of a bridge member. When the carrier is mounted on the supporting object in a mounted state, the interconnecting member spans the supporting object so that each pouch of the carrier is suspended therefrom on either side of the supporting object. Preferably, each pouch includes an arrangement of compartments for receiving items therein and providing easy access to those items. Alternatively, however, the carrier apparatus may simply be in the form of one pouch and an interconnecting member that interconnects the pouch to the supporting object such that it is suspended thereby.

The present invention further contemplates a method of transporting food and picnic related items from a first location to a second location wherein use of the carrier apparatus is made in connection with, for example, a picnic cooler. The method contemplates suspending at least one pouch from the supporting object, packing the pouch at a first location and then moving packed supporting object and the pouch to a second location.

The carrier of the present invention has a particular application when used in conjunction with picnic appliances. As such, the present invention contemplates both a carrier apparatus for use with a picnic appliance such as a cooler, as well as the combination of the carrier and the picnic appliance. The term “picnic appliance”, as used herein, refers to objects such as coolers, park benches, picnic tables, grills, and the like. By way of example, when the carrier apparatus is used in conjunction with a cooler, the bridge piece may span either across the outer surface of the cooler lid or be interposed between the top rim of the cooler and the lid, so that each pouch hangs down on opposite sides of the cooler sidewall in a confronting relationship therewith. The pouches can then be used to hold food and picnic related items such as condiments, and cooking utensils as well as a variety of other items that one may take for picnics such as pocketknives, tools, keys, cell phones, and even equipment associated with playing outdoor games such as horseshoes, croquet, lawn darts, bocce ball, volleyball, badminton, soccer, baseball, and the like.

Turning then to FIGS. 1 and 2, a portable cooler assembly 10 for transporting food and accessory items therefore is shown which generally includes carrier 40 according to one embodiment of the present invention straddling a conventional cooler 2. Cooler 2 includes container body 4, lid 6, food storage chamber 7, which is adapted to receive selected food items, and handles 8 to facilitate its transportation. Lid 6 is movable between an open position to permit access to food storage chamber 7 and a closed position to enclose food storage chamber 7.

As shown, container body 4 is generally rectangular in shape and, as such, has a bottom wall (not shown) and a surrounding sidewall 9. Surrounding sidewall 9 extends upwardly from the bottom wall and terminates in a top rim 17. Sidewall 9 includes a front wall 3 spaced apart from back wall 11 and a pair of spaced apart opposing end walls 5 extending between the front and back walls. Surrounding sidewall 9 has an outer surface 11 and an inner surface 13. The inner surface 13 and bottom wall together form the food storage chamber 7.

Carrier 40 broadly includes a pair of first and second pouches 12 joined together by an interconnecting member in the form of straps 14. As shown in FIG. 1, interconnecting member is adapted to span food chamber 7 so that each pouch 12 is suspended therefrom in a confronting relationship with front wall 3 and back wall 11. Although straps 14 are shown to span food chamber 7 so as to be interposed between top rim 17 of surrounding sidewall 9 and lid 6, it should be understood that straps 14 could span lid 6 so as to be in a confronting relationship with the outer surface 15 of lid 6.

Each pouch 12 generally includes an array of compartments 30 supported by backing 50, which is adapted to confront surrounding sidewall 9. Compartments 30 include a plurality of juxtaposed elongated pockets 32 and a plurality of juxtaposed auxiliary pockets 34. Compartments 30 are adapted to receive and hold food and picnic related items, such as utensils 20, condiments 22, tongs 24, and spatula 26 shown in FIG. 1.

Backing 50 has a bottom edge 52, two side edges 54, and a top edge 56 and provides each pouch 12 with its overall geometrical configuration, shown here to be generally rectangular. Backing 50 may be made of a stiff, but flexible material such as cardboard, wood, metal, or even a stiff fabric material as well as various sheet plastics such as sheets of nylon, polypropylene, polyethylene, or polyvinyl chloride. Preferably, backing 50 is of a size and configuration suitable for confronting the surface of the object alongside which the pouch is to hang and each backing 50 for each pouch 12 is preferably of similar size and geometric configuration. However, as should be understood, pouches 12 could be formed without the need for backing 50.

Since the present invention contemplates a versatile carrier that may be used in conjunction with various picnic appliances, it is preferred that the carrier be adjustable to accommodate supporting objects of varying size and configuration. Preferably, then, interconnecting member or bridge member 14 has an adjustable length. As shown in FIG. 2, each strap 14 has a respective first end portion 42 and 42′ and a respective second end portion 44 and 44′ that are adapted join to the backing 50 of each respective pouch 12 so as to interconnect the pouches. Further, straps 14 have a respective first free end 46 and 46′ and a second free end 48 and 48′. Each free end may have include cooperating fasteners 16 disposed proximate thereto that are adapted to engage one another such as buckles 16. Other cooperating fasteners include cooperating hook and loop fasteners, snaps, buttons, hook and eye fasteners, or any other means commonly known in the art that would allow for the length of the straps to be altered.

Bridge member is not limited to the form of a pair of adjustable straps 14. Rather, one strap, or other interconnecting member may suffice to interconnect pouches 12. Further, since many coolers include a lid that is hinged to the container of the cooler, it is preferred that the bridge piece be capable of fitting in between the hinges so as not to interfere with the opening and closing of the lid.

As should be understood from the above description, then, carrier 40 provides additional room for the transportation of items, such as picnic related items, in an organized manner. Preferably, though, carrier 40 provides a means by which such items can be transported in conjunction with a supporting object. For example, when supported by cooler 2, carrier 40 can be transported by means of handles 8, avoiding the need to move carrier 40, and those items held therein, separately.

Now that carrier 40 and its use in conjunction with cooler 2 have been introduced, the construction of the individual pouches can now be described in somewhat more detail. Turning then to FIGS. 3 and 4, pouch 12 includes strap 14, which is joined to backing 50. Backing 50 supports an array of compartments 30, shown to include a combination of elongated pocket 32 and auxiliary pocket 34, described in further detail below.

Strap 14 may extend along the majority of the length of backing 50 and is joined thereto at two locations 60 and 62 by means of fasteners 70 and 72. Fasteners 70 and 72 may be in the form of rivets, staples, or other fastening means known in the art. Alternatively, straps 14 may be stitched to backing 50 at locations 60 and 62. As should be appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art, strap 14 need not extend the entire length of backing 50 to be joined thereto. For example, panel 50 may include openings in a top portion thereof through which straps 14 may pass such that straps 14 are completely detachable from backing 50.

With continued reference to FIGS. 3 and 4, compartments 30 are configured as a combination of juxtaposed elongated pockets 32 and juxtaposed auxiliary pockets 34, which are joined together by any conventional means such as stitching. As shown, elongated pocket 32 extends the length of backing 50 and auxiliary pocket 34 is joined to the exterior surface thereof. With this configuration in mind then, reference can again be made to FIG. 2, which shows that elongated pockets 32 and auxiliary pockets 34 are equally spaced across backing 50. Preferably, elongated pockets 32 are formed from a common piece of material that is stitched or otherwise joined to backing 50 proximate to bottom edge 52 to form seams 92 and side edges 54 to form seams 94. This material may then be compartmentalized to form individual pockets, for example, by lengthwise stitching along seams 96. Similarly, auxiliary pockets 34 may be formed by a common piece of material, which overlaps a portion of elongated pockets 32 and which is stitched proximate to bottom edge 52 and side edges 54 so as to share seam 92 with elongated pocket 32 and the lower portion 94′ of seam 94. The piece of material may further be compartmentalized along a lower portion 96′ of seam 96.

Alternatively, elongated pockets 32 and auxiliary pockets 34 could be formed of a single piece of material that is folded upon itself to form the auxiliary pockets. Again, the material could be stitched to the backing along seams 92 and 94, and compartmentalized along seams 96.

Elongated pockets 32 and auxiliary pockets 34 may be made of any material suitable for containing items, such as those shown in FIG. 1, and may be formed of either a flexible or non-flexible material. For example, suitable materials include cotton, polyester, nylon, vinyl leather, wood, metal, plastic, and the like, or even combinations of such materials. Compartments 30 may further be decorated with a variety of colors, indicia desired artistic attributes, or may include a section of transparent material to facilitate the location of various items. Also, as contemplated, the pockets may include closures to retain the items such as cooperating hook and loop fasteners, zippers, snaps, buttons, ties, and the like. As should be understood, compartments 30 are not limited to the arrangement discussed with reference to FIGS. 1-4, but rather may take on any desired arrangement for the containment of the items to be held. For example, compartment 30 may be an arrangement of elongated pockets 32 and thus may not include auxiliary pockets 34. Further, the arrangement of compartments 30 need not be the same for both pouches 12.

Turning now to FIG. 5, an alternative backing 150 is shown to include a combination of panel 152 and shield 154 which may be in the form of a foam panel piece. Panel 152 and shield 154 be adhered to one another by an appropriate adhesive, such as glue, or the like. Foam piece 154 acts as a protective layer in the form of a cushion or padding between the compartments and the supporting object. For instance, if the supporting object is a cooler made of Styrofoam, foam piece 154 would protect damage to the cooler from a knife or other sharp utensil being held in the compartments.

The present invention further contemplates a portable cooler assembly, such as the one shown in FIG. 1 wherein only one pouch is suspended alongside the container body by means of a suspension member. A suspension member could include hooks, brackets, or cooperating hook and loop fasteners that could interconnect the pouch with the container body. This single pouch carrier could further be adapted to be joined with a second pouch with a spanning bridge member if desired.

As should be appreciated, the present invention also contemplates a method of food and picnic related items from a first location to a second location. Such a method contemplates all of the steps inherent in the structures described above. These steps may include packing selected food items to be transported into the food storage chamber of a picnic cooler at a first location. Then, suspending a pouch from the picnic cooler and packing the pouch with selected food and picnic related items and then moving the picnic cooler to a second location. The method further contemplates the step of suspending a second pouch from the picnic cooler and interconnecting the two pouches by means of a bridge piece that is placed in a spanning relationship across a top portion of the cooler. In this way, the bridge piece could span either the top rim of the container body of the picnic cooler, or lid itself. The step also includes enclosing the food storage chamber.

Accordingly, the present invention has been described with some degree of particularity directed to the exemplary embodiments of the present invention. It should be appreciated, though, that the present invention is defined by the following claims construed in light of the prior art so that modifications or changes may be made to the exemplary embodiments of the present invention without departing from the inventive concepts contained herein. 

1. A portable cooler assembly for transporting food and accessory items therefore, comprising: (A) a container body including (1) a bottom wall; (2) a surrounding sidewall extending upwardly from said bottom wall having an outer surface and an inner surface wherein the inner surface and said bottom wall together form an interior defining a food storage chamber adapted to receive selected food items; (B) a lid adapted to be supported by said container body and movable between an open position to permit access to the food storage chamber and a closed position to enclose the food storage chamber; (C) a carrier adapted to straddle said container body when in a mounted state, including (1) first and second pouches adapted to receive selected food accessory items; and (2) an interconnecting member sized and adapted to join said first and second pouches and span said container body when in the mounted state wherein said first and second pouches are suspended thereby in confronting relationship with the outer surface of said surrounding sidewall.
 2. A portable cooler assembly according to claim 1 wherein each said first and second pouches includes a backing adapted to confront the outer surface of said surrounding sidewall.
 3. A portable cooler assembly according to claim 2 wherein said backing is formed of a material selected from a group consisting cardboard, wood, metal, nylon, polypropylene, polyethylene, and polyvinyl chloride.
 4. A portable cooler assembly according to claim 2 wherein said backing is formed of a stiff material.
 5. A portable cooler assembly according to claim 4 wherein said stiff material is flexible.
 6. A portable cooler assembly according to claim 2 including a shield associated with said backing.
 7. A portable cooler assembly according to claim 6 wherein said shield is a foam panel.
 8. A portable cooler assembly according to claim 1 wherein said interconnecting member is a strap.
 9. A portable cooler assembly according to claim 8 wherein said strap has an adjustable length.
 10. A portable cooler assembly according to claim 1 including a plurality of interconnecting members.
 11. A portable cooler assembly according to claim 1 wherein said surrounding sidewall terminates in a top rim and said interconnecting member is interposed between said top rim and said lid when said lid is in the closed position
 12. A portable cooler assembly according to claim 1 wherein each of said first and second pouches includes an array of compartments for receiving selected food items.
 13. A portable cooler assembly according to claim 12 wherein said array of compartments includes a plurality of juxtaposed elongated pockets and a plurality of juxtaposed auxiliary pockets.
 14. A portable cooler assembly according to claim 13 wherein at least one of said elongated pockets and auxiliary pockets includes a closure selected from the group consisting of cooperating hook and loop fasteners, zippers, snaps, buttons, and ties.
 15. A portable cooler assembly for transporting food and accessory items therefor, comprising: (A) a rectangular container body including (1) a bottom wall; (2) a front wall extending upwardly from said bottom wall; (3) a back wall spaced apart from said front wall and extending upwardly from said bottom wall; (4) a pair of spaced apart opposing end walls extending between said front and back walls to define a food storage chamber adapted to receive selected food items; (B) a lid adapted to be supported by said container body and movable between an open position to permit access to the food storage chamber and a closed position to enclose the food storage chamber; (C) a carrier adapted to span the food storage chamber when in a mounted state, including (1) first and second pouches adapted to receive selected food accessory items; and (2) an interconnecting member sized and adapted to join said first and second pouches and span the food storage chamber when in the mounted state wherein (a) said first pouch is suspended thereby in confronting relationship with one of said front and back walls; and (b) said second pouch is suspended thereby in confronting relationship with the other one of said front and back walls.
 16. A portable cooler assembly according to claim 15 wherein each said first and second pouches includes a backing adapted to confront a respective one of said front and back walls.
 17. A portable cooler assembly according to claim 16 wherein said backing has a generally rectangular configuration.
 19. A portable cooler assembly according to claim 15 including a plurality of interconnecting members.
 20. A portable cooler assembly according to claim 15 wherein said interconnecting member includes a first free end and a second free end.
 21. A portable cooler assembly according to claim 20 including a first connector disposed proximate to said first free end and a second connector disposed proximate to said second free end wherein said first and second connectors are adapted to releasably engage one another.
 22. A portable cooler assembly according to claim 15 wherein said first and second pouches include a plurality of juxtaposed elongated pockets and a plurality of juxtaposed auxiliary pockets.
 23. A portable cooler assembly according to claim 22 wherein at least one of said elongated pockets and auxiliary pockets includes a closure selected from the group consisting of cooperating hook and loop fasteners, zippers, snaps, buttons, and ties.
 24. A portable cooler assembly according to claim 15 wherein said lid has an outer surface and an opposing inner surface and wherein said interconnecting member is adapted to be disposed in a confronting relationship to the outer surface of said lid when in the mounted state.
 25. A carrier apparatus adapted for use with a picnic cooler to transport selected picnic related items wherein said picnic cooler includes an insulated container body having a bottom wall and a surrounding sidewall extending upwardly therefrom to define an insulated food storage chamber, and a lid sized and adapted to enclose the food storage chamber, said carrier apparatus comprising: (A) a first pouch, including (1) a first backing of a selected size and configuration; and (2) a first set of a plurality of juxtaposed pockets supported by said first backing and sized and adapted to receive selected picnic related items; and (B) a second pouch, including (1) a second backing of a selected size and configuration; and (2) a second set of a plurality of juxtaposed pockets supported by said second backing and sized and adapted to receive selected picnic related items; and (C) a bridge member having a first end portion adapted to attach to said first backing and a second end portion adapted to attach to said second backing wherein said bridge member is sized and adapted to span the food storage chamber in a mounted state and suspend said first and second pouches therefrom whereby each of said first and second pouches is in a confronting relationship with said surrounding sidewall.
 26. A carrier apparatus according to claim 25 wherein said first backing and said second backing are of substantially the same size and shape.
 27. A carrier apparatus according to claim 25 wherein said bridge member is a strap.
 28. A carrier apparatus according to claim 27 wherein said strap includes (A) a first free end; (B) a second free end; (C) a first fastener disposed proximate to said first free end; and (D) a second fastener disposed proximate to said second free end and adapted to engage said first fastener.
 29. A carrier apparatus according to claim 28 wherein said first and second fasteners are selected from the group consisting of hook and loop fasteners, buckles, snaps, buttons, and hook and eye fasteners.
 30. A carrier apparatus according to claim 25 including a shield associated with a respective said first and second backing.
 31. A carrier apparatus adapted for use with a picnic cooler to transport selected picnic related items wherein said picnic cooler includes a rectangular container body having a bottom wall and a surrounding sidewall extending upwardly therefrom to define a food storage chamber, and a lid sized and adapted to enclose the food storage chamber, said carrier apparatus comprising: (A) a first pouch having a plurality of juxtaposed pockets sized and adapted to receive selected picnic related items; and (B) a first suspension member adapted to interconnect said first pouch to said container body and suspend said first pouch therefrom in a confronting relationship with said surrounding sidewall.
 32. A carrier apparatus according to claim 31, including (A) a second pouch having a plurality of juxtaposed pockets sized and adapted to receive selected picnic related items; and (B) a second suspension member adapted to interconnect said second pouch with said container body and suspend said second pouch therefrom in a confronting relationship with said surrounding sidewall.
 33. A carrier apparatus according to claim 32 wherein said first suspension member and said second suspension member are adapted to engage one another to define a bridge piece adapted to span the food storage chamber.
 34. A method of transporting food and picnic related items with a picnic cooler wherein said picnic cooler includes an insulated container body having a bottom wall and a perimeter wall to define an insulated food storage chamber, a mouth region adapted to provide access to the food storage chamber, and a lid sized and adapted to enclose the food storage chamber, comprising the steps of: (A) packing selected food items to be transported into the insulated food storage chamber at a first location; (B) suspending a pouch from said picnic cooler; (C) packing selected food and picnic related items into said pouch; and (D) moving said picnic cooler to a second location.
 35. A method of transporting food and picnic related items according to claim 34 including the step of suspending a second pouch from said picnic cooler.
 36. A method of transporting food and picnic related items according to claim 35 including the step of interconnecting said pouch and said second pouch by means of a bridge piece that is placed in a spanning relationship across a top portion of said picnic cooler.
 37. A method of transporting food and picnic related items according to claim 34 including the step of enclosing the food storage chamber. 